[MagicsMom]

I've been seeing my PDoc for a year. He had me on Lamictal, Seroquel, Neurotriptyline and Klonopin. I went to a new PDoc (I moved) and he took me off Seroquel and Neurotriptyline and put me on Tegretol.

I'm not even up to a therapeutic dose and for a little while it pulled me out of a year long depression. I felt almost normal. Then the hypomania came and now depression again.

I don't like Tegretol - it gives me headaches and makes me nauseous pls I can't sleep (have treatment resistant insomnia) and every time dose goes up I get very anxious and hypomanic. I don't like new PDoc and think I want to stay with my out of state doc.

I want to go back on meds I was on - no side effects since I'm getting depressed again anyway. My husband does not agree. He thinks I should wait until I'm at therapeutic level (600 mg away). However if I already have side effects won't they get worse as I go up?

Any thoughts? I know you're not doctors but just wanted to get some input.

Thanks.

[txbipolar]

I'm on Tegretol also. It sucks until you get to the right dose for you. I was rapid cycling and anxious, but since getting to a therapeutic dose, it is keeping the lid on my mania. I do take anti-psychotics and antidepressants as well as sleep meds

[wildflowerchild25]

Sometimes side effect fade as time goes on. I was super hungry on risperdal but only for three weeks. Then it stopped. Too late for weight gain though. But if you don't think you can tolerate them I would switch. You can try to give it a chance but in the end if you can't live with the side effects what's the point? I won't sacrifice my Body for my mind, though again that's a personal decision.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by MagicsMom

I've been seeing my PDoc for a year. He had me on Lamictal, Seroquel, Neurotriptyline and Klonopin. I went to a new PDoc (I moved) and he took me off Seroquel and Neurotriptyline and put me on Tegretol.

...

I can't sleep (have treatment resistant insomnia)

You do not have treatment resistant insomnia. You were taken off two soporific medications - Seroquel and Neurotriptyline - and now you cannot sleep. It is not treatment resistant insomnia - it is a treatable insomnia but you need at least one soporific medication. He needs to at least put you back on one of those.

[MagicsMom]

Thanks all!

TXBipolar - that's what my husband said but it made no sense to me that the higher I went, the better I'd feel. Glad to see someone who actually has been through it. He only increases 100 mg at a time so I have 600 to go to reach minimum therapeutic dose - don't know if I can stand it.

Thanks WFC - I refuse to live with long-term side effects.

Hamster-Bamster - I DO have treatment resistant insomnia. I've had insomnia for twenty years. I've been on every drug there is for sleep or psych meds that are supposed to make you sleepy. I currently take Lunesta. Regular Seroquel knocks everyone else out - didn't even make me sleepy. My family doc is astonished that I can take Lunesta, wake up after a few hours and be wide awake. So yes, I do have treatment resistant insomnia.

[hamster-bamster]

I see. Pennsylvania

When you have legal marijuana, try it for sleeping in an edible form (to avoid harming the lungs by smoking).

I use marijuana (a bit of cannabis chocolate) and Elavil, which is similar to your former medication called Neurotriptyline

It works for me most of the time. When it does not, I use either Zyprexa or Clorazil PRN. Benzos do nothing for me. Ambien and Sonata do nothing for me. Seroquel - 2 hours of sleep and then up again, so I do not count it as effective for me.